Vietnam actively contributes to 27th ASEAN Summit: Deputy FM

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam made active and responsible contributions to documents adopted at the 27 th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings that took place in Malaysia from November 21-22, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung told the media.

The Deputy FM stressed that the active participation in the events reflected Vietnam’s policy and resolve in joining ASEAN’s cooperation.

“We are serious in carrying out commitments and obligations as a member of ASEAN while working hard to help consolidate the solidarity and unity in the bloc and uphold ASEAN’s central role in the region and in relations with partners,” Deputy Minister Trung said.

According to the Deputy FM, the most significant outcome of the Summit is the signing of a historic declaration establishing the ASEAN Community 2015 under the witness of leaders of dialogue partners, the UN Secretary General and ASEAN business representatives.

ASEAN leaders later signed a declaration on the 2025 Community Vision that sets out orientations to further deepen ASEAN links across the pillars of politics-security, economics and socio-culture for the next decade.

During the Summit and related events, a total of 60 documents were signed and adopted or noted within the frameworks of ASEAN and ASEAN’s partnerships.

Along with counter-terrorism and climate change, the East Sea issue drew the most attention at high-level meetings. Participants emphasised the importance of peace and security in the East Sea to economic, trade, transport and stable development in the region.

They called for maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, including settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in the foreseeable future, Deputy FM Trung said.

He noted that the Chairman’s Statements of many Summit meetings such as the 27th ASEAN Summit, the EAS Summit, the ASEAN+US and the ASEAN+Japan affirmed the leaders’ concern over the complicated developments in the East Sea.

According to the Deputy FM, during discussions on regional and international situations, Vietnam has shared the concern over the recent complicated and serious developments in the East Sea, including the massive construction work at sea that has eroded trust, exacerbated tension and negatively impacted regional peace and security.

At the same time, the country stressed the need for related parties to intensify trust building and preventive diplomacy, seriously abide by principles of exercising restraint, refraining from the use of or threat to use force, and peacefully settle disputes in line with the UNCLO.

Vietnam welcomes countries’ proposals and recommendations towards maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, the diplomat said, adding that Vietnam’s consistent policy and stance on the issue has won the sympathy and support of ASEAN member states and partners.

Vietnam also urged parties concerned to commit to non-militarisation in the East Sea, effective implementation of the (DOC) and result-oriented negotiation to early reach a COC.-VNA